Hunter Lookout and Great North Walk loop

2 hrs 30 mins

5.6 km Circuit

336 m

Hard track

This loop track starts from the Hunter Lookout picnic area and follows the Great North Walk around the edge of the ridge via the Macleans Lookout, Rocky Creek gully and the cliffs around the eastern edge of the ridge. This walk provides great views across the valley and much of the Hunter to the north. On the return, the walk takes a leisurely stroll along the dirt roads, passing the pines plantation area and the rocky creek camping area.

Hard track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads south-west down the long hill, following Hammonds Road along the edge of the plantation. Soon, the road heads up to the other side of the hill to the intersection with Hermits Road.Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads west along Hammonds Road, following the edge of the plantation to the intersection with Rockey Creek Road.

Hard track

Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows Rockey Creek Road north-west down the long hill to the intersection with Hermits Road.Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill along Rockey Creek Road, crossing a small stream on a rock platform and heading up the other side to the rest area on the north side of the road.

Rocky Creek Campsite

This campsite provides ample room for a few tents and a campfire, and there is a small creek a short distance away, which often provides opportunity to boil up some drinking water (may dry out at times).

(4.49km) Rockey Creek Rest Area → Int of Rockey Creek and Bakers Road

450 m

10 mins

31m

0m

Hard track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads up Rockey Creek Road, around the sharp left-hand bend and up the long and steady hill to the intersection with Bakers Road.

Moderate track

, this walk follows Bakers Road north and gently uphill, while keeping Rocky Creek Road (no signpost) on your right. The walk continues, undulating gently for about 400m until coming to a three-way intersection with Glen Road

(on the left).Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads off the road and up the hill following the Hunter Lookout picnic area sign, past the wooden gate and the public toilet, to the picnic area area and the lookout.

Maps for the Hunter Lookout and Great North Walk loop walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

3.6km of this walk has short steep hills and another 1km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (1000m) is very steep.

Quality of track

3.2km of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 1.7km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles. The remaining (720m) follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

Around 2.9km of this walk has minimal directional signs, whilst the remaining 2.8km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required

3.7km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 1km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (900m) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.

weather

This whole walk, 6km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

3.7km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and another 1.4km has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged). The remaining (530m) is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Hunter Lookout and Great North Walk loop walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-heatonsf-hlagnwl
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.
http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_weather_danger.php?walkid=nsw-heatonsf-hlagnwl
Forecast snapshot